How does Sara Shaw follow one of the best seasons in Westlake history?

By capping one of the best careers in school history with another standout year that ended in the state volleyball championship match.

Shaw, a 6-foot-1-inch Southern Cal recruit dubbed “Sassy” by her teammates, easily earns the Westlake Picayune’s District 25-5A Most Valuable Player honor after leading the Chaps to a district title and a spot in the state finals. She amassed 453 kills, 291 digs and 59 aces along the way, despite missing most of nondistrict play with an ankle injury.

Shaw leaves Westlake as the heralded program’s all-time leader in kills. She also holds the record for kills in a single season with 698 in 2008.

Libero Tessa Hunt joins Shaw on the first team, and opposite Ella Praisner and setter Avery Edwards earn spots on the second team.

Westlake Picayune’s 2009 25-5A All-District volleyball team

Most valuable player:
• Sara Shaw, OH, Westlake: The senior shook off an ankle injury to lead the Chaps to the District 25-5A title.

Coach of the year:
• Al Bennett, Westlake: Once again, he led team to district title and state title match.

First team:
• S: Alix DeJernett, 12, 5-10, Austin High: Senior captain doled out 7.1 assists per game and led district in aces.

• OH: Sara Shaw, 11, 6-2, Westlake: USC recruit also a good defender and major threat on the service line.

• OH: Sydney Wilhelm, 12, 5-10, Bastrop: Versatile athlete averaged 3.1 kills, 4.7 digs a game and had 44 aces.

• OH: Cassidy Vaughn, 10, 6-0, Bowie: Rising youngster averaged 3.9 kills a game, defended well at net.

• MB: Haley Outon, 12, 6-1, Pflugerville : Thunderous swinger led
district with 5.8 kills a game; will play softball at Houston.

• L: Tessa Hunt, 10, 5-8, Westlake: Backrow stalwart averaged 5.3 digs a game for district champs .

Second team:
• S: Avery Edwards, 11, 5-6, Westlake: Averaged 6.3 assists per game in Chaps’ 6-2 rotation.

• MB: Latifa Brager, 12, 5-8, Connally: Quick middle had 3.3 kills a game and collected 64 blocks.

• OH: Ella Praisner, 11, 5-11, Westlake: Moved to opposite from middle and averaged 2.5 kills a game with 42 blocks.

• OH: Layne Hubbard, 11, 5-10, Austin High: High-rising junior led Maroons with 3.8 kills a game.

• MB: Kenzie Hume, 11, 6-0, Westlake: Steady presence in middle led district with 88 blocks.

• L: Avery Lewis, 12, 5-10, Bowie: District leader in digs (6.0 a game) helped boost Dawgs to playoffs.

Note: Statistics from regular season only